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Swiss Protestants mark 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth
Ekklesia ^ | 11 Oct 2007

Posted on 10/11/2007 5:56:32 AM PDT by Alex Murphy

The Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches has launched an interactive website as part of its celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary in 2009 of the birth of Protestant reformer Jean Calvin.

"We want Calvin to come alive for the people of our time through this Web site," the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and chairperson of the Web site's committee of patrons, said when the site was launched on 28 September 2007.

The website http://www.calvin09.org presents in four languages a calendar of jubilee events worldwide, and information on Calvin's life and teaching.

The Reformer was born on 10 July 1509 in Noyon in northern France but is known worldwide for his role in the Protestant Reformation in Geneva, a once independent city-state which became part of Switzerland in 1815.

As the official website for the Calvin celebrations, www.calvin09.org is now running two competitions. The first invites musicians to compose a hymn for the anniversary year. The second challenges people to submit "the most interesting, substantial and catching sermon" that offers "new, surprising perspectives" on Calvin's significance today.

Protestant churches around the world are planning a wide range of events to mark the 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth.

"We are eager to receive information that can be shared through this Web site concerning the various events being planned all around the world to mark Calvin's 500th birthday," said Kirkpatrick. "We hope and dream that calvin09.org will be as stimulating and relevant for the 21st century as the theology of John Calvin itself!"

The committee of patrons for the website is made up of 18 representatives from academic and church institutions. It includes, as co-chairpersons, Charlotte Kuffer, vice-president of the Protestant Church of Geneva, and the Rev Thomas Wipf, president of the Swiss Protestant federation.


TOPICS: History; Mainline Protestant
KEYWORDS: anniversary; churchhistory; europeanchristians
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To: Claud
Holy Communion is the central act of worship in St Giles' and is celebrated several times each week.

!!! Is this typical for Presbyterians? (I'm debating frequency of Communion on another thread...someone's telling me once a year and that's it)

No. It was, is my understanding, Calvin's ideal.

My old CRC congregation had it once a month. PCUSA I grew up in 4/year. I've heard of twice a year.

41 posted on 10/12/2007 12:11:55 PM PDT by Lee N. Field ("Dispensationalism -- threat or menace?")
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To: kawaii
who says it’s fiction and how do they know?

Does either the RC or Orthodox consider it as fact? Does either teach it?

What evidence do you have that there is any truth to this story?

42 posted on 10/12/2007 12:21:15 PM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: Lee N. Field

Ah, ok. Thanks for the clarification.


43 posted on 10/12/2007 12:25:22 PM PDT by Claud
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To: OLD REGGIE
What evidence do you have that there is any truth to this story?

I asked first; who says?
44 posted on 10/12/2007 12:27:32 PM PDT by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: kawaii
I asked first; who says?

I do. The Hobbit told me.

You may now resume smoking the funny stuff.

45 posted on 10/12/2007 1:19:16 PM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: Claud

The Lord’s Supper is celebrated each month in my Presbyterian church.


46 posted on 10/12/2007 1:39:58 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: OLD REGGIE
I do. The Hobbit told me.

Makes as much sense as 'John Calvin Told Me'.
47 posted on 10/12/2007 1:41:10 PM PDT by kawaii (Orthodox Christianity -- Proclaiming the Truth Since 33 A.D.)
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To: marshmallow
"A necessity"? For God? Who is sufficient in and of himself?? You jest. Why could God not have come down to earth the same way he left it after the Resurrection, for instance.......i.e. on a cloud??

Surely your church believes there was a reason for God to become both man and Christ. No?

May I call you Shirley?

48 posted on 10/12/2007 1:41:49 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Claud
Hi Claud,

In my Presbyterian church (PCA) we observe communion each week.

CC&E

49 posted on 10/14/2007 6:29:46 AM PDT by Calm_Cool_and_Elected (So many books, so little time!)
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